What is Laser Optoacoustic Imaging and How is it Used?

Question:What is Laser optoacoustic imaging and is it used in the diagnosis of breast cancer?

Answer: Laser optoacoustic imaging is an experimental technique to try to use higher frequency sound waves to show the extent of the tumor. I would say that that's still experimental and something on the drawing board. I do think there's going to be important research in the whole area of breast imaging, because as we move away from more radical surgery, it's going to be important that we know the true extent of the tumor. And so breast imaging is where that technology will lie, to help guide us to do minimal invasive approaches.